A Journey into the Artistry and Tease of Northampton’s Premier Burlesque Dance Troupe, The Flauntettes
Would I find my inner sex goddess?
In this brand-new monthly series, Sarah Becker Gatecrashes, I’ll be stepping boldly out of my comfort zone to explore new activities across Northamptonshire. Each month, I’ll share glimpses of local hidden gems and unique experiences, hoping to inspire you to try something new—and maybe discover a hidden talent or two myself.
This month, I dived headfirst into the dazzling and daring world of burlesque, signing up for a four-week beginner course in burlesque dancing led by Scarlet Tales, the founder of Northampton’s burlesque troupe, The Flauntettes.
Setting the Stage
I’ll admit, the mere mention of nudity makes me squirm like a maggot on a hook.
So, what better way to shake off my inhibitions than by donning some sequins and learning the art of tease?
I signed up for a four-week beginner course in burlesque led by Scarlet Tales, founder of The Flauntettes.
A trained dance teacher, Scarlet found her calling in this body-positive, empowering dance form that celebrates storytelling, comedy, and, of course, a bit of cheeky fun.
First Steps (and Hiccups)
My introduction to burlesque didn’t go quite as planned.
Attempting to reach my first class, I found myself caught up in the chaos of local riots, with masked men on bikes blocking my way.
Rattled but determined, I returned the following week, finally making it to The Lab Club, in Charles Street, where the classes are held.
Our instructor that evening, who goes by the stage name, Delizalademure is a local flame-haired pinup queen with an Instagram following to die for.
She introduced our group of seven “baby burlesquers” including a ‘boy burlesquer’, Gareth, to the basics: the bevel pose, the classic burlesque stance, and a repertoire of playful, iconic moves.
Soon we were all trying out our new repertoire of sexy stances in the safety of the room.
By the end of the session, we had strut, posed, and even filmed a short routine—all fully clothed, much to my relief. To my surprise, I was enjoying myself – pulling out my inner sex goddess for a few playful stances felt strangely liberating.
All About ‘The Peach’
The following week, Scarlet Tales herself took the reins. This session was all about “the peach”—otherwise known as your booty. We learned to shake it, rotate it, and figure-eight it, in time with the music.
I even shed my first accessory: a glove. While that may sound minor, the art of glove-peeling with finesse is not as easy as it looks. It’s all about teasing, not revealing too much, and embracing the playfulness of the moment.
Scarlet emphasized that burlesque isn’t just about nudity; it’s about comfort and confidence. “Each performer decides what they’re comfortable with,” she explained. “It’s really about the tease and celebrating all body types and shapes.”
The levels of nudity participants were comfortable with in this burlesque dance workshop varied greatly—from one woman who confidently embraced just nipple tassels to another who was already familiar with baring it all as a life model.
What stood out to me most, however, was the support and kindness everyone showed toward each other.
There was no envy, no competitiveness, and none of the desire to outshine others that often characterizes some dance studios.
People had come to learn the art of tease for different reasons.
One lady had been in an abusive relationship for years and revealed she wanted to find her self confidence again. Another had only recently moved to Northampton and wanted to make new friends – why not! Baring bodyparts was certainly a leveller: people encouraged each other.
Another participant wanted to feel comfortable in their own skin, to really enjoy the body they were blessed with and feel good about the way they looked.
Inspiration from the Pros
Curious to see professionals in action, I attended a live burlesque dance troupe performance at the Black Diamond Club in Lower Harding Street.
Watching the veteran performers own the stage with sass, humour, nudity and daring confidence was certainly eye-opening.
The level of confidence, creativity, and yes—nudity—was a far cry from my glove peel!
Yet, what struck me most was the playfulness and empowerment radiating from performers of all shapes, sizes, and ages. And how much the audience, who seemed to consist of predominantly women!!! cheered them on. The atmosphere was one of just letting go and having a great time!
Finding My Groove
Returning to class the next week, I couldn’t help but feel inspired.
But I had work to do.
Though my comfort zone had increased to a bustle removal, I was still a far cry from my professional burlesquers!
However, I’ve discovered a surprising sense of liberation in simply pretending to be sexy, a sense of fun in dressing up and playing different characters.
Strutting across the room, shaking off inhibitions, and embracing my playful side has been unexpectedly so much fun.
This journey into burlesque reminded me that it’s not just about the tease; it’s about confidence, creativity, and having fun in your own skin.
So, would I recommend burlesque? Absolutely. Whether you’re looking to spice up your dance moves, reconnect with your body, or simply have a laugh, burlesque offers something for everyone.
Who knows—maybe my inner sex goddess isn’t buried as deeply as I thought!
For further details on all burlesque classes visit: https://www.facebook.com/TheFlauntettes